Defence is a Combat skill. It is one of three skills (along with Hitpoints and Prayer) that is used when determining a player or monster's Combat Level, regardless of what combat style they are strongest with.
A higher Defence level increases the player's evasion ratings in combat, which lowers a monster's chance to hit. Defence does not affect the damage dealt by a successful attack, which is mostly a factor of Damage Reduction. As it results in fewer hits against the player, however, a higher Defence level can help reduce food usage in combat. Defence has no effect in Thieving.
Most Melee-focused armour requires a certain Defence level to be equipped.
The Defence skill increases the player's melee, ranged, and magic evasion ratings. For details on how Evasion Rating is calculated, refer to the Evasion Rating section on the Combat page.
Gaining Defence XP
Defence XP can be earned in combat with any of the three combat styles by selecting the appropriate attack style:
While using Melee, choose the "Block" attack style
While using Ranged, choose the "Longrange" attack style
While using Magic, choose the "Defensive" attack style
Defence XP gained is based on damage dealt to an enemy, not damage taken by the player. When using the Block attack style, 0.4 Defence XP is awarded per point of damage done. When using the Longrange or Defensive attack styles, 0.2 Defence XP is awarded per point of damage done, with another 0.2 XP per point of damage going to Ranged or Magic, respectively.
Skill Level Unlocks
Increasing the Defence skill allows the player to equip more powerful Melee-focused armour. The player's accuracy rating when using the Block attack style scales with Defence level, as does the player's evasion rating against all attack styles.
The standard and superior skillcapes for this skill can be purchased from the store for 1,000,000 and 10,000,000 after the player reaches Level 99 and Level 120, respectively. Reaching Level 120 requires the Throne of the Herald Expansion.
Combat skill. It is one of three skills (along with 
Hitpoints and 
Prayer) that is used when determining a player or monster's Combat Level, regardless of what combat style they are strongest with.
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Thieving.
Melee, choose the "Block" attack style
Ranged, choose the "Longrange" attack style
Magic, choose the "Defensive" attack style
Block attack style scales with Defence level, as does the player's evasion rating against all attack styles.
and 10,000,000
Throne of the Herald Expansion.
